In the UK semisodium valproate has been sold for a few years as the proprietary drug Depakote and marketed for psychiatric conditions only. It is about five times the price of sodium valproate, which has been marketed for around 30 years as Epilim by the same company for epilepsy and is also available from other manufacturers as a generic product.

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The most severe side effects are ten times higher-than-average incidence rates of serious, irreversible birth defects (teratogenic) such as births of brainless babies (anencephaly).
People who take this drug can experience a variety of side effects, some of which may or may not require immediate medical attention. Especially dangerous side effects include vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, or dark urine. These suggest a possibility of liver damage. People taking this drug should also call their doctor if they experience other serious side effects. Some serious side effects are unusual bleeding (especially in the urine), hallucinations, and extreme drowsiness. Some people also experience constipation from use of this drug. 1% to 10% of people report weight gain and increased appetite. The same percentage also reports abnormal dreams. [1]
Major risk of birth defects such as spina bifida has been demonstrated among populations of female patients who took the medicine in childbearing age.